We departed Rhode Island last Thursday for our first roadtrip of the year! Unfortunately we knew we were in for a long weekend when the various concerns of our administrators became apparent due to Irene’s imminent arrival: “we wouldn’t be able to fly out, our games would be cancelled and even that we wouldn’t be able to return!” Fortunately we were playing around Charlotte, 4 hours from the closest coastal point, Wilmington and 8 hours from the Outer Banks; so while other parts of the east coast were taking shelter from Irene, the Charlotte area was not affected, never even seeing a drop of rain…Needless to say, we did arrive safely in Charlotte managing to play our first game vs. Davidson College on Friday night ending in another OT 2-2 tie (I know, shocking), only to go on and play UNC-Charlotte to another OT 0-0 tie…starting off our season at 0-0-3.Next opponent, Irene! When traveling, you are responsible for 22 players and your staff of 5, so roadtrip details are always challenging, but necessary: flight plans, hotel accommodations, bus reservations, meal reservations (which is the most important detail with the girls!), meeting rooms, training times; things that most may not consider.This trip took that detailed planning to a whole new level…we found out that our Sunday return flight had been cancelled due to predicted airport closures and that a Monday return was unlikely; return now set for Tuesday! Now we have to rebook the hotel rooms for the additional days and make adjustments to the rooming list due to lack of availability, reserve the bus, more meal reservations…thank God for a GREAT staff to assist in making sure that this is all accomplished.But the toughest, most difficult job: how to keep 20 college girls entertained for 2 additional days? Movie night, board games, team building exercises; fortunately, across from the hotel…a shopping outlet! Problem solved!We were able to return on Tuesday to campus, so this is obviously minor in comparison to the people that were, and still are affected by the hurricane, so in reflection, it wasn’t such a bad weekend. See you next time.BTW: As you may know from my profile, I am a committed (or should be committed) Spurs fan, but after this past weekend’s drubbing by Man City, I will refrain from responding to Mick Darcy’s previous blog… even after Arsenal were trounced by MUFC!

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Jim McGirr

McGirr is in his 7th season as Head Women's Soccer Coach at Providence College which competes in the highly competitive Big East Conference. Away from the college game he is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.